Tarrant County hospitals introduce visitor limits in relation to burgeoning coronavirus
In an attempt to protect patients who are already sick with other illnesses, Tarrant County hospital administrators on Friday said they would begin to take measures to restrict visitation in hopes of preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Based on test results this week, public health officials presumed that three people who live in Tarrant County have the virus.
At John Peter Smith Health Network facilities, most patients will be permitted to have one visitor. Maternity patients and others with special circumstances that the network did not describe will be allowed two visitors.
Visitors must be at least 12 years old and not have symptoms of illness. Visitors who have recently traveled to places in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 travel warning will not be permitted to visit, the JPS Health Network said.
At Cook Children’s Medical Center, no more than two adult primary caregivers will be allowed per patient beginning at 5 a.m. Monday.
Other people, including siblings, will not be permitted to visit.
Anyone entering the medical center will be asked screening questions and have their temperature taken to determine their possible exposure to the coronavirus, Cook Children’s said.
A person who is found to be at risk will be required to wear a mask inside the medical center and will have restricted access.
At Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and its parent system’s other facilities, patients will be limited to two visitors.
Texas Health said it would significantly reduce the number of entrances used at its facilities.
At stations at those doors, everyone will be screened for symptoms of the coronavirus. Anyone who shows a symptom of the virus will be required to put on a medical mask before entering.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 10:52 PM.
